The 2011-12 season was a turbulent year for Leeds United, as the club struggled to find consistency in the Championship, ultimately finishing in 14th place. This season was marked by managerial changes, a mixed bag of performances, and significant off-field events.
Managerial Changes
Simon Grayson (Until February 1)
The season started under the management of Simon Grayson, who had been at the helm since 2008. However, a string of poor results led to his dismissal in early February. Grayson’s tenure saw Leeds struggle to replicate the form that had made them a competitive side in the Championship.
Neil Redfearn (Caretaker, February 1 – February 18)
After Grayson’s departure, Neil Redfearn, the Reserve Team Manager, took charge as caretaker. During his short stint, Redfearn managed the team through four matches, attempting to stabilize the squad and restore morale.
Neil Warnock (From February 18)
The club appointed veteran manager Neil Warnock on February 18. Known for his promotion expertise, Warnock sought to rejuvenate the team and implement his strategies, hoping to turn the season around. His arrival coincided with some improvement in performances, although the club’s league position remained lackluster.
Player Performances
Top Scorer: Ross McCormack
The standout player for Leeds United in the 2011-12 season was Ross McCormack, who emerged as the club’s top scorer with 19 goals in all competitions. His impressive tally represented a significant improvement from the previous season, and he narrowly missed out on the Player of the Year award to Robert Snodgrass.
Key Players
- Robert Snodgrass: Appointed as club captain by Warnock following the sale of influential skipper Jonny Howson in January, Snodgrass played a crucial role both on and off the pitch.
- Tom Lees: Recognized as Young Player of the Year, Lees was instrumental in bringing a youthful dynamic to the squad, with fellow youngsters Aidan White, Zac Thompson, Charlie Taylor, and goalkeeper Alex Cairns also making significant contributions.
Cup Competitions
Leeds United’s journey in domestic cup competitions was brief, with the club exiting in the Third Round of both the FA Cup and the League Cup. These early exits disappointed fans hoping for a deeper run in either tournament.
Off-Field Developments
Despite the on-pitch struggles, Leeds United’s directors reported a healthy profit of £3.5 million for the season. However, tensions rose between the club’s management and supporters due to the controversial £7 million renovation of Elland Road stadium. The summer transfer window saw £0.7 million spent on new players while £5.2 million was earned through player sales, further frustrating fans who were discontented with the departures of beloved figures like Jonny Howson and Max Gradel.
Conclusion
The 2011-12 season for Leeds United was one of transition and challenge. While the appointment of Neil Warnock offered a glimmer of hope, the club’s 14th-place finish in the Championship left supporters longing for a return to the top tier of English football. The mix of on-field talent, including standout players like Ross McCormack and Robert Snodgrass, coupled with off-field controversies, created a season that fans would not soon forget.
Championship 2011-12 Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reading | 46 | 27 | 8 | 11 | 69 | 41 | +28 | 89 |
| 2 | Southampton | 46 | 26 | 10 | 10 | 85 | 46 | +39 | 88 |
| 3 | West Ham United | 46 | 24 | 14 | 8 | 81 | 48 | +33 | 86 |
| 4 | Birmingham City | 46 | 20 | 16 | 10 | 78 | 51 | +27 | 76 |
| 5 | Blackpool | 46 | 20 | 15 | 11 | 79 | 59 | +20 | 75 |
| 6 | Cardiff City | 46 | 19 | 18 | 9 | 66 | 53 | +13 | 75 |
| 7 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 18 | 16 | 12 | 52 | 51 | +1 | 70 |
| 8 | Hull City | 46 | 19 | 11 | 16 | 47 | 44 | +3 | 68 |
| 9 | Leicester City | 46 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 66 | 55 | +11 | 66 |
| 10 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 46 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 52 | 52 | 0 | 66 |
| 11 | Watford | 46 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 56 | 64 | −8 | 64 |
| 12 | Derby County | 46 | 18 | 10 | 18 | 50 | 58 | −8 | 64 |
| 13 | Burnley | 46 | 17 | 11 | 18 | 61 | 58 | +3 | 62 |
| 14 | Leeds United | 46 | 17 | 10 | 19 | 65 | 68 | −3 | 61 |
| 15 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 17 | 10 | 19 | 69 | 77 | −8 | 61 |
| 16 | Millwall | 46 | 15 | 12 | 19 | 55 | 57 | −2 | 57 |
| 17 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 46 | 51 | −5 | 56 |
| 18 | Peterborough United | 46 | 13 | 11 | 22 | 67 | 77 | −10 | 50 |
| 19 | Nottingham Forest | 46 | 14 | 8 | 24 | 48 | 63 | −15 | 50 |
| 20 | Bristol City | 46 | 12 | 13 | 21 | 44 | 68 | −24 | 49 |
| 21 | Barnsley | 46 | 13 | 9 | 24 | 49 | 74 | −25 | 48 |
| 22 | Portsmouth | 46 | 13 | 11 | 22 | 50 | 59 | −9 | 40 |
| 23 | Coventry City | 46 | 9 | 13 | 24 | 41 | 65 | −24 | 40 |
| 24 | Doncaster Rovers | 46 | 8 | 12 | 26 | 43 | 80 | −37 | 36 |
Leeds United 2011-12 Fixtures and Results
| Competition | Date | Match | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| League Championship | 06 Aug 2011 | Southampton v Leeds United | L | 3-1 |
| League Cup | 09 Aug 2011 | Leeds United v Bradford City | W | 3-2 |
| League Championship | 13 Aug 2011 | Leeds United v Middlesbrough | L | 0-1 |
| League Championship | 16 Aug 2011 | Leeds United v Hull City | W | 4-1 |
| League Championship | 21 Aug 2011 | West Ham United v Leeds United | D | 2-2 |
| League Cup | 23 Aug 2011 | Doncaster Rovers v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| League Championship | 27 Aug 2011 | Ipswich Town v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| League Championship | 10 Sep 2011 | Leeds United v Crystal Palace | W | 3-2 |
| League Championship | 17 Sep 2011 | Leeds United v Bristol City | W | 2-1 |
| League Cup | 20 Sep 2011 | Leeds United v Manchester United | L | 0-3 |
| League Championship | 23 Sep 2011 | Brighton and Hove Albion v Leeds United | D | 3-3 |
| League Championship | 01 Oct 2011 | Leeds United v Portsmouth | W | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 14 Oct 2011 | Doncaster Rovers v Leeds United | W | 0-3 |
| League Championship | 18 Oct 2011 | Leeds United v Coventry City | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 22 Oct 2011 | Peterborough United v Leeds United | W | 2-3 |
| League Championship | 26 Oct 2011 | Birmingham City v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 30 Oct 2011 | Leeds United v Cardiff City | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 02 Nov 2011 | Leeds United v Blackpool | L | 0-5 |
| League Championship | 06 Nov 2011 | Leicester City v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| League Championship | 19 Nov 2011 | Burnley v Leeds United | W | 1-2 |
| League Championship | 26 Nov 2011 | Leeds United v Barnsley | L | 1-2 |
| League Championship | 29 Nov 2011 | Nottingham Forest v Leeds United | W | 0-4 |
| League Championship | 03 Dec 2011 | Leeds United v Millwall | W | 2-0 |
| League Championship | 10 Dec 2011 | Watford v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 17 Dec 2011 | Leeds United v Reading | L | 0-1 |
| League Championship | 26 Dec 2011 | Derby County v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 31 Dec 2011 | Barnsley v Leeds United | L | 4-1 |
| League Championship | 02 Jan 2012 | Leeds United v Burnley | W | 2-1 |
| FA Cup | 09 Jan 2012 | Arsenal v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 14 Jan 2012 | Crystal Palace v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 21 Jan 2012 | Leeds United v Ipswich Town | W | 3-1 |
| League Championship | 31 Jan 2012 | Leeds United v Birmingham City | L | 1-4 |
| League Championship | 04 Feb 2012 | Bristol City v Leeds United | W | 0-3 |
| League Championship | 11 Feb 2012 | Leeds United v Brighton and Hove Albion | L | 1-2 |
| League Championship | 14 Feb 2012 | Coventry City v Leeds United | L | 2-1 |
| League Championship | 18 Feb 2012 | Leeds United v Doncaster Rovers | W | 3-2 |
| League Championship | 25 Feb 2012 | Portsmouth v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| League Championship | 03 Mar 2012 | Leeds United v Southampton | L | 0-1 |
| League Championship | 06 Mar 2012 | Hull City v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| League Championship | 11 Mar 2012 | Middlesbrough v Leeds United | W | 0-2 |
| League Championship | 17 Mar 2012 | Leeds United v West Ham United | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 20 Mar 2012 | Leeds United v Nottingham Forest | L | 3-7 |
| League Championship | 24 Mar 2012 | Millwall v Leeds United | W | 0-1 |
| League Championship | 31 Mar 2012 | Leeds United v Watford | L | 0-2 |
| League Championship | 06 Apr 2012 | Reading v Leeds United | L | 2-0 |
| League Championship | 09 Apr 2012 | Leeds United v Derby County | L | 0-2 |
| League Championship | 14 Apr 2012 | Leeds United v Peterborough United | W | 4-1 |
| League Championship | 17 Apr 2012 | Blackpool v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| League Championship | 21 Apr 2012 | Cardiff City v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Championship | 28 Apr 2012 | Leeds United v Leicester City | L | 1-2 |
